SARAH M. SWAN by Sarah M. Swan

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1859

SARAH M. SWAN

By Sarah M. Swan

From Sister Swan.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: My heart has often been cheered when desponding and sad, by reading your testimonies in the Review. When I hear of your determinations to press forward, and that the Lord is blessing you from day to day, and adding to your numbers, I feel encouraged to endure unto the end, that I may at last meet you in the everlasting kingdom. I feel truly like a pilgrim and stranger here, and often long for the time when the pilgrims shall all be gathered home to reap their reward. And what is the reward which we are to reap? "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for those that love him." But blessed be God, he hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, and when the Spirit shows us things to come we long to be there. We feel to say with the poet,

"We are weary and sick of this world's vain strife, And long for a holy, peaceful clime; To glow with the vigor of endless life, And be compassed no more by the bounds of time."

O what inducements are held out before us to encourage us to persevere! What are all the riches and pleasures of this world compared with the glories of the world to come? And can we, poor, frail mortals, all defiled by sin, ever share those glories, and become pure as the angels in heaven? O yes, we may, for Jesus shed his precious blood to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and to prepare us for those mansions which he has gone to prepare for us. O, who would not be willing to suffer with the Saviour here if we may but reign with him in glory? Who would count any sacrifice too dear for his sake who has done so much for us? For one, I can say, Let me have my portion with the despised Nazarene; let me share his reproach and his sufferings if I may but share his glory.

"The humble path my Saviour walked, I scorn it not to tread; Though the scoffs and scorn my Saviour bore Should fall upon my head."

SARAH M. SWAN

Mantua, Ohio.

P. S. Could not some of the messengers come this way? We believe that good might be done here. S. M. S.